Friday, September 23, 2011

While the younger kids had rest time, we took Hannah with us to visit Fort Gaines, a prominent fort during the Civil War era. Fort Gaines is a massive brick fort that stood guard over the entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama. It is located on the eastern tip of Dauphin Island. The term "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" comes from the union admiral trying to break through to the bay.Not your everyday outhouse! It was a 10-seater that connected by way of a culvert to the Bay. The tide would come in and out and flush the toilets. This was necessary being that over 400 men would use that latrine daily. (wouldn't want to swim in that Bay!)

This blacksmith made me a leaf Christmas ornament and then made Hannah a horse head key-chain. Hannah was so intrigued by him and we watched him for 45 minutes!

After kids were put to bed, we tried to get on the computers. There was access, but it was slow. And I couldn't send out any of my e-mails. Adam and Mindy both had school work to do.

We also played games. One game we found at the house was called "Would you rather". Very silly. Questions like: would you rather have arms that reach to the ground or be 7' tall but your legs only 2' in height.

There were challenges too. Like keeping a spoon in your mouth for 2 rounds...

...or drinking from a bowl like a kitty.

We had a birthday party for Josh while there. 33 years old!

Staci got those candles that keep re-lighting.

Staci made a Reeces Pie for Josh. I came up with this recipe several years ago by combining a recipe from a missionary friend and seeing a similar type pie at a restaurant. We all LOVE this pie! Here is the recipe:

Thursday, September 22, 2011

One thing that Hannah was determined to do when we got to the beach was to bury Papa in the sand!On the 2nd day we were there, jelly fish began to wash up on shore. Lots of them! We found out that they were moon jellies and that for the most part they do not sting. We could even touch them and they wouldn't sting. I don't think Sophia was buying that.

There was this one kind though that did wash up that would give quite a jolt. It wasn't supposed to be jelly fish season but guess the jelly fish didn't know that.Luckily, no one did get stung. Hannah took it upon herself to be the jelly fish scooper-upper.